Cataumet, Massachusetts

In 1893, Thomas Baxendale and Ester Minerva conceived and built a private sanctuary on Amrita Island.  A stone bridge connects the mainland to an idyllic world anchored by a mansion and two guesthouses:  Stonehenge and Sorrento.  Since 1960, the pair of guesthouses has been owned by a family who carefully restored and updated the Arts and Crafts Style buildings.  The landscape design connects the house to the site and shape outdoor rooms while negotiating history and the lifestyle of an active multi-generational family. 

with David R. Maclean Architects

Newport, Rhode Island

with Paul Weber Architect

Our proposal for Sandy Hook Memorial creates a landscape that resonates with the feeling of lost lives and the desire for healing, hope and renewal. The goal is to preserve the striking topography and bucolic character of the site, and to contrast it by the act of scarring the pristine field that is the heart of the memorial park. A sign of hurt and healing, a scar is an enduring memory of the past. These deliberately placed and undulating earth-form scars tell the story of a community marked by pain, courage and grief. The field of scars opens towards Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the knowledge of the viewers’ proximity, to the events of that day emphasizes the serene beauty of this New England landscape. 

Water Mill, New York

A long three acre site, situated on a tributary creek of Mecox Bay, features a unique collection of topiary yews, two pavilions by Late-Modernist architect Andrew Geller and thousands of Japanese iris protected by convenants.   The new house captures the site by extending out as landscape deck, framing a central play lawn and connecting the Geller structures with the yew garden.  Along the creek, once degraded habitat was restored with native meadow grasses, forbs and red maple trees.  The design unites the whimsical, habitable and ecoplogical to create a landscape for living.  Completed as dL studio with Soren deNiord. Photography by Soren deNiord.

with Bates Masi Architects  

with Jacob Lilley Architects

Brookline, Massachusetts

TLS collaborated with landscape architects, Z+T Studio of Shanghai, to design the landscape for a high density residential community.  The two parcels are situated outside Beijing’s sixth ring road, surrounded by farmlands and mountain ranges to the north.   Jaidu East is a 10.5 acre plot of land studded with high-rise towers and low rise commercial buildings.  The “object” buildings create a landscape of narrow, canyon-like interstitial spaces.  In contrast, Jaidu West, covering 20.6 acres and over ¼ mile long, is subdivided by long and slab-like buildings that form a series of broad and spacious courtyards.  With parking below, both parcels are almost entirely on structure and feature ten feet of soil cover to ensure viable landscapes.
The design was inspired by the interplay of ancient agrarian field patterns, man-made forests and the dynamic Chaobai River, one of the major rivers around Beijing.  For Jiadu East, a linear forest forms a central spine and green figure to provide focus to the amorphous spaces.  A network of paths and seating areas weave through the woodland, ensuring residents the benefits of daily contact with nature and fresh air.  At Jiadu West, an underlying structure of paths and plantings, derived from agrarian landscape, establishes a consistent order.  The courtyards are joined by a meandering path that connects the community.  Each courtyard features intimate, human scale spaces and generous open central lawns.  Construction is slated to start in Summer of 2018.        

with Z+T Studio 

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

TLS completed the renovation of a pool and backyard for a young and active family.  The design activates the yard by improving connections and orchestrating a sequence of places and paths around the new swimming pool.  A grove of red cedars were integrated into a wood deck, creating a shady area adjacent to the pool terrace.  A low fieldstone wall, granite steps and row of sweetbay magnolias defines the pool garden and leads to the children's play area.  

Warren, Vermont

with David R. Maclean Architects

North Falmouth, Massachusetts

The North Branch of the Falmouth Public Library is a beloved institution in the heart of the village.  In spite of its small size, the library is heavily used and over crowded.  With space at a premium, the idea emerged to create an outdoor reading garden.  The design is an economical composition of stabilized gravel terrace, timber edging and rows of winterberry shrubs referencing the bookstacks.  The space is intended to be temporary while a new structure is being planned.

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

TLS was engaged by the clients for further work after completing the landscape design for a contemporary house overlooking Quissett Harbor, while at Stephen Stimson Associates.

In 2014, a rain garden was created to manage and cleanse runoff and protect the water quality of the harbor. Planted with native species, the garden provides food and habitat for wildlife.

In 2015, a small knoll overlooking the harbor presented an opportunity to create a place for quiet and solitude.  An existing glacial boulder inspired the idea to create a bench to capture the views.  The bench is crafted from precast concrete and set to "float" against the boulder.  Smooth, planar, and light, the bench plays off the irregular, rough and weighted character of the stone.  

with Derek Oliver - Works In Concrete

Short Hills, New Jersey

A new Arts and Science Center for a progressive independent school features a lawn courtyard and rain gardens to connect the campus to an existing teaching wetland.  Between existing buildings a series of pathways ramble through native shade trees, understory shrubs and groundcovers to reinforce the ecological continuity of the woodland campus.  Existing concrete paths were saw cut  and reused as linear pavers.  Large trees that were removed for the new buildings were milled on site to create benches.   

with Centerbrook Architects and Planners

Harwich, Massachusetts

Concealed by a dense canopy of oaks and pines, the site's terrain dips and rises from Route 28A to the ocean.  From the busy road, one enters a hidden world to discover a vernal pool flourishing in a glacial kettle hole, and a grassy knoll overlooking Pleasant Bay.  The varied topography creates conditions of high & dry, low & wet, open & sunny, and sheltered & shady.  The project seeks to preserve and accentuate the rich and diverse habitat, integrate a new dwelling and edit out invasive species that are eroding the clarity and character of the native landscape.

with H. P. Rovenelli Architects

with Bates Masi Architects

Milton, Massachusetts

A historic mansion built in the late 1800's will be renovated and updated for a family with a love of the outdoors.  The landscape design focuses on their active lifestyle by engaging the 4 acre site and surrounding conservation lands.  Progam elements include an infinity edge swimming pool, play lawn and walking and excercise trails that connect to the conservation lands.

with Hutker Architects

Washington D. C.

Since 2013, TLS has been working with Bernstein Management Corporation to redesign and renovate the landscapes for a number of residential properties in Washington D. C.   The projects vary in scales and settings, ranging from campus type sites to urban courtyards, plazas and streetscape.  New designs focus on enhancing identity, social and recreational opportunities and sustainability.  

Locust Valley, New York

A clearing in the wooded site is the setting for a house composed of four interconnected pavilions, each with a sculpted roof to capture light and air into interior courtyards.   Responding to the interplay of pavilions, the landscape design utilizes different types of planted forms: geometric bosques, random groves, repetitive rows, singular specimens and hedge wall, to delineate arrival, integrate parking/service and define outdoor rooms.  The interior courtyards emphasize intimacy with a simple palette of cut stone and moss and small distinct trees.  

with Bates Masi Architects

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

The renovation of the Chancellory will consolidate administration and operations back to the historic building and church gounds.  The landscape design addresses parking, circulation and outdoor functions.  A granite terrace provides space for gatherings, events and a connection to the Stone Church.  Accessible pathways unifies the grounds and create a sense of campus, or in this case, a literal sacred precinct.  

with Keenan+Kenny Architects

Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard

with Keenan+Kenny Architects